Updated: Trooper's Condition Improving After Being Dragged In Denton

Maryland State Police said the condition of the trooper injured in Caroline County Wednesday night has improved.

According to officials at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the condition of the Maryland State Police trooper, who was assigned to Easton Barrack, has been upgraded to serious condition. The trooper is continuing to receive treatment at the hospital.

Police said the trooper had been in critical condition at Shock Trauma after he had been dragged during a confrontation with alleged vandalism suspects in Caroline County.

State Police said the trooper (whose name has not been released) was off-duty at the time of the incident, which happened in Denton.

Officials said an investigation revealed that before the incident, the 17-year-old driver and the two teenagers with him may have been tampering with a trash can in the area of 7th Street and Market Street in Denton, at about 7:15 p.m.

According to State Police, the off-duty trooper noticed the teens and attempted to talk with them. He drove up to them in his personal car, and then got out to approach them. When he did this, he was not displaying his badge or an identification card. He was also wearing plain clothing.

When the trooper attempted to talk with the teens, the 17-year-old driver became startled, and thenhit the gas, dragging the trooper for some distance alongside the vehicle, State Police said.

The trooper fell to the road at some point, and driver then kept going, according to State Police.

State Police said they later located the vehicle, and questioned the three teenagers before deciding to release them.

No charges have been filed at this time in connection with the incident.

The investigation is ongoing. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]-->